May 11, 2007

Contact: Chris Gilligan 502-564-4270 x168 chris.gilligan@ky.gov

 

Friends of Lake Cumberland –

 

Here is a link to a nice 3:30 long video showing what the lake looks like. Bill Jasper was kind enough to make it happen and send us the link.

 

http://www.statedock.com/

 

 

General Burnside Island Ramp to Close Temporarily

Temporary closure a necessity to expedite boat ramp extension project

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 11, 2007) – Beginning Monday, boaters will temporarily lose access to Lake Cumberland from the General Burnside Island State Park ramp.  Crews are working toward having the ramp re-opened by the start of the summer boating season.   

The ramp is being extended following action by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers earlier this year that lowered the water level of Lake Cumberland.  To this point, the ramp extension project has been on-going with part of the ramp open to boat traffic. 

The decision has been made to close the ramp to all traffic in order to expedite the completion of this project. 

PSC ALLOWS EAST KENTUCKY POWER TO MODIFY GENERATING PLANT ON LAKE CUMBERLAND

Changes needed to keep plant in operation if water level falls further

 

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 11, 2007) – The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) is allowing East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) to modify its electric generating plant on  Lake Cumberland in order to keep power flowing if the water level in the lake is lowered again.

The modifications, which will cost about $24 million, include barge-mounted pumps to draw water from deeper in the lake and a cooling tower system that will significantly reduce water use at the 341-megawatt John Sherman Cooper Power Station near Somerset.

PSC Chairman Mark David Goss noted that although the PSC issued an order approving EKPC’s application just two weeks after it was filed, the matter received a thorough review.

“We moved extraordinarily quickly in this case, but these are extraordinary circumstances,” he said. “Keeping the Cooper plant operating is vitally important to the citizens and businesses of south-central Kentucky.”

Loss of the Cooper station’s output would raise costs for the customers of the 16 electric distribution cooperatives that purchase power from EKPC and could harm the area’s economy by disrupting power supplies, Goss said.

The Army Corps of Engineers has lowered the water level in Lake Cumberland to an elevation of 680 feet while Wolf Creek Dam is being repaired to stop leaks. In February, the Corps of Engineers warned EKPC and others who use lake water that the level might have to be lowered another 30 feet in order to keep the dam stable.

"I want to commend Chairman Goss and the PSC for the expedited review of the plans for the Cooper plant," said Teresa J. Hill, secretary of the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. "The health and safety of the citizens in the Lake Cumberland area continues to be a top priority. The PSC, and all state agencies, are moving quickly to respond to the needs associated with the Corps decision to lower the lake."

Water intakes for the Cooper station are at 670 feet and cannot operate if the water level falls below 675 feet. The modifications EKPC is planning will allow Cooper to remain in full operation if water levels in Lake Cumberland fall to 650 feet and in partial operation at lower levels.

EKPC purchases a portion of the electricity generated by the hydroelectric plant at Wolf Creek Dam. A further lowering of the water level in Lake Cumberland would shut down not only the Cooper station, but the dam’s generators as well.

            Losing the generating capacity of both facilities would force EKPC to purchase costly power from outside sources, with the higher cost passed on to consumers. Even with the outside power, EKPC might be unable to meet peak demand, necessitating periodic power outages (rolling blackouts) in its service area in south-central Kentucky.

            To keep the Cooper plant in operation, EKPC will spend nearly $8 million for seven barge-mounted pumps that together will supply up to 70,000 gallons per minute of water to the flow-through cooling system for the smaller of the plant’s two generating units. The pumps will also provide water for a cooling tower that will serve the larger unit.

Because a cooling tower recirculates water, the changes will reduce the plant’s water use by more than half, from the current maximum usage of 150,000 gallons per minute. The cooling tower will cost $15 million, and engineering work will add $1 million to the cost of the project.

Completion of the project is expected by Dec. 31, 2007, the date by which the Corps of Engineers warned lake users to be ready for a possible lowering of the water level to 650 feet. EKPC plans to put three of the barge-mounted pumps into service this summer.

Today’s order and other documents in the case are available on the PSC Web site, psc.ky.gov. The case number is 2007-00168.

The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Department of Public Protection in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in the commonwealth of Kentucky and has approximately 110 employees.

                                        

 

NEWS ARTICLES

BOAT RAMP UPDATE

Usable (updated 5/10/07 by The Corps)

The following Corps operated and Commercial Marina boat ramps are usable at or near the target elevation 680.  (Ramps are monitored on a daily basis and conditions are subject to change.)

	Alligator Dock #2
	General Burnside Island State Park
	Cave Creek (approx. 15' of concrete left, then mud)
	Conley Bottom Marina
	Cumberland Point
	Fall Creek
	Grider Hill Marina
	Halcomb's Landing (small boats less 20'approx.)
	Jamestown Marina
	Lee's Ford Marina
	Waitsboro (small boats less 20'approx.)

• One 22-ft wide lane is complete and open at Fall Creek.

 

• New anchor pad for courtesy float at Cumberland Point was poured and will be attached to the float this week.

 

• Grading work completed at Buck Creek Marina and pre-cast sections were poured.

 

• The cast in place sections were completed and the pre-cast sections poured at Lees Ford.

 

• Work at Slate Branch has been completed.

 

• A Public Notice for a DA permit has been issued for Alligator Dock #1.

 

• Work at Jamestown and Waitsboro has been completed with a 3rd lane planked at both sites.

 

• Placement of articulating concrete mats is underway at Burnside Island Sate Park.

 

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

 

http://duo-county.com/cam_lake01.html

Jamestown Resort Marina, from the motel island looking ESE out to the main lake.

LIVE WEBCAM ON LAKE CUMBERLAND